TNT Parent Company Reportedly Reaches Settlement With NBA

Warner Bros. Discovery is making waves again, but this time not with a splashy acquisition or blockbuster show — it’s with a settlement that keeps the NBA in its corner, even after losing the rights to air games.

According to Joe Flint of The Wall Street Journal, TNT’s parent company has resolved its breach of contract lawsuit against the NBA, a move that’s set to reshape their relationship for the next decade.

Here’s the breakdown: Warner Bros. Discovery’s initial suit took aim at the league after being left out of a lucrative new broadcast rights deal worth nearly $80 billion over 11 years.

The NBA’s deal gave the broadcasting nod to ESPN, NBC Sports, and Amazon — leaving TNT out in the cold. Warner Bros. Discovery claimed the NBA ignored a matching-rights clause in favor of Amazon, and the stakes were set for a high-profile legal showdown.

But as Flint reports, a settlement is on the horizon, allowing Warner Bros. Discovery to produce NBA-themed content and air it across the U.S. and select international markets, excluding Mexico and Brazil.

This move isn’t just a consolation prize — it’s a strategic play that underscores just how valuable the NBA remains in the streaming and cable world. Despite no longer airing live NBA games, Warner Bros. Discovery sees the league’s draw and wants in on the action.

Under the deal, platforms like Bleacher Report and House of Highlights will keep their NBA content pipeline intact, and Warner Bros. Discovery will continue running NBA TV’s digital operations — a significant win to maintain relevance in sports media.

Add to that an intriguing twist: Warner Bros. Discovery has inked an agreement with Disney to license the immensely popular “Inside the NBA” to ESPN and ABC starting next season. The show, featuring fan favorites Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, has been the crown jewel of TNT’s NBA coverage.

Whether the hosts will switch networks is yet to be confirmed, but the ripple effects are bound to be significant.

And Warner Bros. Discovery isn’t stopping at the hardwood. To offset the loss of live NBA broadcasts, the company will tap into college football and NASCAR coverage — with ESPN sublicensing Big 12 college football and basketball games to TNT and the Max streaming service. This play adds depth to their sports lineup, aiming to keep audiences engaged even without the NBA’s marquee matchups.

In the ever-evolving chess game of broadcast rights, Warner Bros. Discovery’s settlement shows that even after a perceived loss, the game isn’t over.

Instead, it’s pivoting with a sharp strategy — holding onto prized NBA content and expanding its sports playbook. And in today’s hyper-competitive media landscape, that could be enough to keep them in the conversation for years to come.